How does accepting a counteroffer often cap future earning potential?

Answer

The raise is anchored to the current employer's internal merit schedule, not the external market trajectory

A counteroffer brings compensation up to a level competitive today, but future increases often revert to a slower internal merit schedule, meaning the employee misses out on the potentially accelerated growth curve associated with a higher starting baseline from a new role.

How does accepting a counteroffer often cap future earning potential?
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